Muslims To Observe SHAB-E-BARAAT on 01 May – Preparation For Ramadhan Starts

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Shab-e-Baraat –the night of salvation – is an auspicious night for the Muslim community that falls in Sha’ban –the eight month of the Islamic calendar.

This year, Shab-e-Baraat will fall on Tuesday, May 1 where millions of Muslims across the globe especially in the Central Asian countries observe the day with prayers and visiting the graves of their beloved.

Shab-e-Baraat is also a reminder that Ramadan –the holiest month for the Muslim community is barely two weeks away.

Although, there are no direct references mentioned about the night in the Holy Quran or Hadith (teachings of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him), this night is considered blessed by some scholars and widely observed in the global Muslim community.

This day is observed in parts of South East Asia such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Malaysia, Indonesia, some parts of the Middle Eastern countries and by Muslims migrated to the western nations.

Although there is no set custom for this day, people fast on this day from dawn to dusk, make special prayers in the night, stay up all night making Dua, doing Salat, reading the Holy Quran, ask for forgiveness, and also visit the graves of their beloved during the evening.

The idea behind observing Shab-e-Baraat is to repent for ones’ sins committed, pray for the well-being of the community, ask forgiveness for their family, friends and ancestors and prepare oneself for the oncoming month of Ramadan.

Believers are encouraged to stay up late until next morning prayer before the sunrise –Fajr, recite Quran, do Dhikr (reciting small phrases of Quran), make NafilSalat (non-obligatory prayers), make a particular Salat- Salat-ut-Tasbih and make Dua for the whole community.

On this occasion, families usually pray together in their houses and men march out to the mosque at the call of Adhaan to attend the Fajr prayer in the Mosque. Several mosques also make arrangements for the community to come and pray at the mosque premises all night and hold special congressional prayers during the night.

Shab-e-Baraat programme in Auckland

The South Auckland Muslim Association at the Al-Mustafa Jamia Masjid at 26 Mangere Road, Otahuhu has made arrangements for the community to come and observe the day with family and friends at the Mosque.

The programme for the day starts at the late afternoon prayers –Asr at 4:30 p.m. followed by a brief Milad Sharif and the evening prayer at dusk –Magrib. Post Maghrib the masjid will host first of the three NafilSalat sessions- for a long pious life, followed by recitation of Surah Yaseen, a second NafilSalat for protection for calamities and misfortunes, the next session of Surah Yaseen recitation and the final NafilSalat for increment of subsistence (rizk), and the last session of Surah Yaseen.

This recitation will be followed by a sermon explaining the significance of the night- Shab-e-Baraat, the night prayer –Isha will be conducted, and the community will proceed to the Manukau Memorial Gardens graveyard on Puhinui Road for a visitation. The Otahuhu Masjid will also remain open all night for the community for the night prayers.

In New Zealand, Ramadan will start on Tuesday, May 15 or Wednesday, May 16 depending on the sighting of the crescent moon.